Education in San Antonio

What is NCLEX and how does one qualify for it? This is often asked by many people, and in particular, individuals and students who are interested in a nursing career. If you’re one of those who wish to know what these letters mean, this post will help you have a better understanding of it and what impact it will have on future nurses.

The NCLEX is an acronym for National Council Licensure Examination which is the qualifying test for nurses who want to be certified as a professional in the field of registered nursing. For graduates of the 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or the 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), sitting for the NCLEX-RN and subsequently passing it, is the last challenge they would have to overcome to become a registered nurse or RN. At the same time, graduates of a Licensed Practical Nursing degree or LPN will also need to take the NCLEX-PN for a practical nurse license.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN) is the body that set the parameters for NCLEX qualification. In order to be eligible to sit for the exam, the NCBSN has come up with a list of requirements that the student would need to accomplish. Listed among the requirements are the payment of a registration fee, fingerprint scans, and submission of pertinent school records. There are also academic requirements that need to be completed and these will be part of the coursework in the nursing school.

There are many nursing schools in the country and those which maintain high standards impose rigorous training to ensure that students have the right combination of theoretical knowledge and technical skills that will prepare them for the responsibilities of a nursing career. Of course, nothing can be learned overnight and the know-how they eventually acquire is a product of years of training. It’s understandable for students to feel some pressure in the weeks leading to the NCLEX but if they’ve done their homework well, so to speak, they should be able to breeze through it.

Composed of 265 questions, the actual NCLEX-RN test is a mixture of things which the student should have implanted in his/her memory already as well as practical and comprehension questions. NCLEX takers should complete the exam within the 6-hour time limit. However, the test is immediately completed when the student is able to get at least 75 correct answers. By reaching that minimum number, the student is deemed to have acquired the required skills and knowledge to be admitted into the nursing profession.

What is the NCLEX? As you can see, the NCLEX is an important challenge for aspiring registered nurses and practical nurses who want to obtain their licenses and begin their nursing career.

Now that you’ve learned what is the NCLEX, it is time for you to choose the nursing school program that can help you get your nursing degree. Drop by to find out more about nursing degrees and to find the top nursing schools in your area.